Adam Vrooman UE (1753 - 1810)

Born 16 Aug 1753 in Vroomans Land, Schohaire, Albany, New York Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Margarath Depeyster (Mattice) Vrooman — married 1780 in Canada

Descendants

Died 8 Jan 1810 at age 56 in Niagara, Lincoln, Upper Canada

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Biography

Adam Vrooman, born in 1750; in Van Rensselaer Manor, New York, was a Sergeant in Butler's Rangers who claimed he brought "into this Province a number of men to have entitled him to a commission" although he was never promoted.

In May 1781 he gathered intelligence near the German Flatts and was with Lieutenant John Turney on the frontiers in May and June 1782. Married to Margaret DePeyster Mattice, in November 1783 he was drawing rations in Caldwell's Company, while his wife, Margaret, and daughter, Rachel, were still in the colonies. He took the oath of allegiance at Niagara sometime between November 1784 and July 1785.

His land entitlements in the District of Nassau in 1792 totalled 900 acres. In August 1795, he petitioned for land for himself and as "heir to his brother who was also a Sergeant in the same Corps" but the petition was rejected although he was later granted land in Gainsborough. He became a Captain in the Lincoln Militia.

Lieutenant-Colonel James Vrooman of the Township of Brock, Ontario Co. was born on the banks of the Niagara River in 1794. He was the youngest son of Col. Adam Vrooman and Margarath DePeyster Mattice.

James Vrooman joined the Glengary Fencibles at Three Rivers under command of Col. Battersby (in defense of his country). He was present and took part in many engagements -- the capture of the American army at St. Regis -- the storming of Ogdensburgh -- the battle of Stoney Creek -- the taking of Oswego on the memorable day at Lundy's Lane -- and in many more skirmishes. At the close of the American War, the British government held out inducements to the discharged soldiers to settle in Perth and other parts of Upper Canada, offering free grants of land and provisions for a time and carpenter's tools. Colonel Vrooman settled in Perth, but in 1818 he disposed of his property and drew lot 6 in the 7th Concession of Breck (now Vroomanton) and settled there in 1820. In 1822, Col. Vrooman married Miss Jane Purdy of Cobourg, by whom he had seven children, one son and six daughters. After the death of his wife in 1838, he married his second wife, Miss Rhoda Johnson of Manilla. Col. James Vrooman has held many important offices of trust in Brock and the early settlers looked upon him as the godfather of the township.

Actions by Vrooman as slaveholder leading to enactment of Act to Limit Slavery

On March 14, 1793, Adam Vrooman bound and carried his slave, Chloe Cooley, over the Niagara River and sold her in New York State. There was an outcry and a complaint was lodged before Simcoe, which Adam then appealed to Simcoe in the form of a petition. He admits to his actions and then claims it was thereafter that he learned that an 'information' had been lodged against him to the Attorney General. He claims that he had no knowledge that his actions were illegal.

It is said that Simcoe used the Chloe Cooley incident to introduce a bill to abolish slavery in Upper Canada to the House of Assembly on 19 June 1793. This met with considerable opposition, and so he had to settle for the Act to Limit Slavery in Upper Canada. This was passed on 9 July 1793.

He passed away in 1810.

Sources

• http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sgt.+Adam+Vrooman+UE+(1753-8+January+1810)%3A+acquires+land+first+given...-a0272666131
• http://www.uelac.org/Loyalist-Info/detail.php?letter=v&line=132
  

  Adam Vrooman was a United Empire Loyalist.
  UEL Status:Proven
  Date: Undated
• https://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/james-vrooman-24-25zj2y
• Henry, Natasha. "Chloe Cooley". The Canadian Encyclopedia, 07 February 2022, Historica Canada. www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/chloe-cooley-and-the-act-to-limit-slavery-in-upper-canada. Accessed 14 March 2022.